Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 300 › 300 S Roadster (W 188) · Rare production · 1952–1955 Extremely Rare

Mercedes-Benz
300 S Roadster (W 188)

Hand-built luxury roadster, rarest 300 S body style.

Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)
Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)
Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0
141BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
141 Built
Years
1952–1955
Engine
Inline six (M188), triple Solex carburettors · 2,996 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,996 cc
Power
112 kW / 152 PSFactory: 150 hp · converted
Top speed
175 km/hFactory: 175 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 300 S was the sporting, hand-built counterpart to the Mercedes-Benz 300 saloon and one of the most expensive cars of its day. The Roadster, with 141 completed, was the most exclusive of the three 300 S body styles.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityExtremely Rare 141 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

  • Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)
    Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)
    Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)
    Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (W 188) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster)
    Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model production300 S Roadsters completed (216 Coupés, 203 Cabriolet As) 1411,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Launched at the Paris Salon in October 1951, the W 188 used a chassis related to the W 186 300 but about 25 cm shorter, and reportedly cost twice as much as a Cadillac. Clients reportedly included King Farouk, the Aga Khan, Cary Grant and Gary Cooper. Production totalled 216 Coupés, 203 Cabriolet As and 141 Roadsters.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 300 S Roadster (W 188).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 188 / 188.9201
LayoutInline six (M188), triple Solex carburettors3 Independently researched
Cylinders61
Displacement 2,996 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,996 cc3 Independently researched
Bore 85 mmFactory: 85 mm1
Stroke 88 mmFactory: 88 mm1
Compression ratio7.8:11
Valvetrain1 overhead camshaft; camshaft drive: double roller chain1
Fuel system3 downdraught carburettors Solex 40 PBJC1
Power 112 kW / 152 PSFactory: 150 hp · converted3 Independently researched
Power at 5,000 rpm1
Torque 230 Nm / 23.5 kgmFactory: 23.5 kgm1Source unit is "mkg".
Torque at 3,800 rpm1

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxFour-speed manual3 Independently researched
Gears41
Gear ratiosI. 3.68; II. 2.25; III. 1.42; IV. 1.0; R. 3.081
Final drive41251Source prints "4125" (apparently 4.125); stored as printed.
Driven wheelsrear wheels1

Chassis, body & dimensions

Chassiscruciform oval-tube frame with centre reinforcement1
Front suspensiondouble wishbone; coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser1
Rear suspensionswing axle; double coil springs1
Brakeshydraulic, from 1954 with vacuum booster, acting on front- and rear wheels; four-wheel drum brakes1
Steeringrecirculating-ball steering1
Body constructionsteel unit body1
Wheelbase 2,900 mmFactory: 2,900 mm1
Length 4,730 mmFactory: 4,730 mm1
Width 1,910 mmFactory: 1,910 mm1
Height 1,510 mmFactory: 1,510 mm1
Front track 1,480 mmFactory: 1,480 mm1
Rear track 1,525 mmFactory: 1,525 mm1
Kerb weight 1,540 kgFactory: 1,540 kg1DIN 70020: ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 175 km/hFactory: 175 km/h1
0–100 km/h 15 s1
Fuel tank 85 LFactory: 85 L1
Fuel consumption 13.8 L/100kmFactory: 13.8 L/100km1Mercedes-Benz archive figure in litres per 100 km: 13.8 l (DIN 70030: at 3/4 of top speed, not more than 110 km/h, plus 10 %)

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The Roadster hood is lighter than the Cabriolet A's, has no landau bars and stows close to the body. Bodies were hand-built with lead-loaded panel edges and individually fitted chrome. Chassis numbers carry the 188 type prefix (e.g. 188.012...), with engines numbered 188.920...

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    300 S Roadster / W 188 I, 1952 - 1955 Level A Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Units produced : 141
    • Engine type : M 188 / 188.920 (Specifications)
    • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 6 / in-line (Specifications)
    • Bore x Stroke : 85 x 88 mm (Specifications)
    • Compression ratio : 7.8 (Specifications)
    • Valve operation : 1 overhead camshaft (Specifications)
    • Fuel system : 3 downdraught carburettors Solex 40 PBJC (Specifications)
    • Rated output : 150 hp at 5000 rpm (Specifications)
    • Rated torque : 23.5 mkg at 3800 rpm (Specifications)
    • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (Specifications)
    • Gear ratios : I. 3.68; II. 2.25; III. 1.42; IV. 1.0; R. 3.08 (Specifications)
    • Final drive ratio : 4125 (Specifications)
    • Driven wheels : rear wheels (Specifications)
    • Frame design : cruciform oval-tube frame with centre reinforcement / steel unit body (Specifications)
    • Front-wheel suspension : double wishbone (Specifications)
    • Rear-wheel suspension : swing axle (Specifications)
    • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic, from 1954 with vacuum booster, acting on front- and (Specifications)
    • Steering : recirculating-ball steering (Specifications)
    • Wheelbase : 2900 mm (Specifications)
    • Length : 4730 mm (Specifications)
    • Width : 1910 mm (Specifications)
    • Height : 1510 mm (Specifications)
    • Front / rear track : 1480 / 1525 mm (Specifications)
    • Kerb weight : 1540 kg (Specifications)
    • Maximum speed : 175 km/h (Specifications)
    • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 15 s (Specifications)
    • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 85 l (Specifications)
    • Fuel consumption : 13.8 l (Specifications)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster | RM Sotheby’s London 2020 Level B
    • 141 300 S Roadsters completed (216 Coupés, 203 Cabriolet As)
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster (Lot 181, London 2020) Level B RM Sotheby's
    • triple-Solex-carburetted M188 inline-six
    • 2,996 cubic-centimeter
    • 150 hp
    • four-speed manual
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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